What do food business owners and managers think about enhancing the nutritional quality of kids' menus in sit-down eating-out-of-home venues?
Author Identifier
Jacinta Francis: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8701-8195
Samantha Veurink: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9279-7738
Gina S.A. Trapp: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3683-0319
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Health Promotion Journal of Australia
Volume
36
Issue
3
PubMed ID
40464267
Publisher
Wiley
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
East Metropolitan Health Service / Australian Research Council / Edith Cowan University / Stan Perron Charitable Foundation
Grant Number
ARC Number : DE210101791
Abstract
Issue Addressed: As the frequency of eating out-of-home among Australian families increases, concerns have arisen regarding the nutritional quality of Kids' Menus. This study investigated the views of food business owners and managers on Kids' Menus at sit-down venues, specifically factors influencing the choice of meals offered on Kids' Menus and potential initiatives for enhancing the nutritional quality of these menus. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 food business owners and managers in Perth, Western Australia, between August 2022 and May 2023. Results: Factors influencing the provision of Kids' Menus included customer demand, profitability, food waste, operational efficiency and seasonal availability. Most participants expressed support for initiatives aimed at increasing the healthfulness of Kids' Menus. Conclusions: Our study suggests that interventions aimed at improving the nutritional quality of Kids' Menus should clearly communicate the demand for, and feasibility of healthier options to food businesses. The positive reception to existing programmes indicates that similar programmes could be successfully adapted to meet local needs in Perth and potentially serve as models for other regions. So What?: This study sheds light on the complex factors influencing Kids' Menu offerings in Perth and paves the way for targeted strategies that could significantly improve children's nutritional intake in dining settings, ultimately contributing to public health efforts to combat childhood obesity.
DOI
10.1002/hpja.70058
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Cayley, T., Hickling, S., Francis, J., Veurink, S., & Trapp, G. S. A. (2025). What do food business owners and managers think about enhancing the nutritional quality of kids’ menus in sit-down eating‐out‐of‐home venues? Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.70058